Grimes is 20 and has featured regularly for Leeds’ under-21 side in recent times, racking up 13 appearances at that level last season.

With Alex Cairns leaving this summer, it is likely that Grimes will get more chances to impress, although the presence of Charlie Horton – the club’s first summer signing – may throw a spanner in the works.

Grimes has played once for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side and previously won seven caps at under-19 level. He becomes the latest in an increasingly long line of talented youngsters who have committed their futures to Leeds in recent weeks, having been initially offered new terms at the end of the last campaign.

Big things are expected from Leeds next season, with manager Uwe Rosler in place and the likes of Horton, Lee Erwin and Sol Bamba signed up.

More new players are expected to follow but for all the new faces, the commitment of the club’s youngsters is good news in its own right.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.